Page 65 of Daybreak

“Captain?”

“The informant list found at the scene throws this back to the federal case they were working on with Dixon to begin with. One of the names on this list is quite likely the man responsible for giving away the location of their safe house, and for the death of four special agents and their material witness. We are stepping back and giving them access to all the evidence we gathered. They will run their own tests, but we’re not investigating a murder, so—”

Blake interrupted. “According to the managers of all his Dixon Down and Dirty sites, they are certain he would never kill himself.” Then he shifted focus to the agents. “You might want to review all of the evidence. You may be looking at a murder, after all, and there are three full-time staff members. Two who live on the premises, and the chauffeur who drives to the estate every morning. The husband and wife are presently at a hotel. Their info is in the file, as is the chauffeur’s address.”

The agent frowned. “What’s the chauffeur’s name?”

“Beau Whistler,” Blake said.

The agents gave each other a look. “He’s not Dixon’s chauffeur. He’s the clean-up man we couldn’t nail, and thank you for the info. We’ll be reviewing everything,” the agent said, and then they were gone.

Blake looked at his captain and shrugged. “Oof… I did not see that coming. But I’m not going to lie; I’m glad to be rid of this case.”

“As you were,” his captain said.

Blake went back to his desk while the agents from the FBI were gathering up boxes of evidence to take with them.

Chapter 13

Gunner was in the hospital elevator on his way to the Critical Care Unit to visit his lieutenant. It was just shy of eleven o’clock, so unless there were others waiting to visit, he wouldn’t have to wait long.

When he got to the CCU waiting room, he scanned the faces but didn’t see anyone from their precinct or anyone else he recognized. And when the clock ticked over, he got in line with other visitors, flashed his badge and ID at the door, and stated his name and who he was visiting.

“He’s my lieutenant,” Gunner added.

“He’s in Bay 4. Ten minutes,” the nurse said.

“Yes, ma’am. Thank you,” he said and entered critical care, then went straight to Andy Samuels’s room.

Samuels appeared to be sleeping, but his eyes opened as Gunner neared his bed.

“How’s it going, Boss?” Gunner said and pulled up a chair by the bed.

“I’ve been better. But I’m stable and will be out of here soon. What’s going on out there? What about you?” Samuels asked.

“Mostly staying holed up. Without proof, I don’t really know if all the hit men are gone.”

Samuels frowned. “I was told they were.”

Gunner’s heart skipped. “Right… I remember the text. So, someone told you that?”

“Yeah, Rowdy stuck his head in the office that day and said the hit had been called off and everybody on the street knew it.”

Gunner nodded. “Ah… Yeah… Rowdy always has his ear to the ground, right? Is there anything you need, sir?”

“I don’t need anything but to get well, but thanks for asking,” Samuels said. “And my daughter is on the way. I think her plane lands sometime late this afternoon.”

Gunner stood. “I don’t want to outstay my welcome. Get well. Talk to you soon.”

“Thanks for coming,” Samuels said. “You’re the first, by the way.”

Gunner frowned. “You mean, you’ve been in here by yourself since they brought you in?”

“I don’t remember being brought in. They may all have been there then, but I don’t need a babysitter. I’ve got pretty nurses for that. The team needs to be out there doing their jobs.”

Gunner shook his head and gave Samuels’s leg a quick pat. “Get some sleep,” he said and left.

He got all the way to the elevator before he let himself be indignant on his boss’s behalf. A whole freaking department full of cops and not one showed up? Even if they were there when he was brought in, no one has followed up? Do you have to get shot to be worthy of a visit? Unless a crime wave has suddenly hit, they have a lot to answer for.